What do you think?
Rate this book
Church Planter: Nine Essentials for Being Faithful and Effective
Every established church was first a church plant. By planting churches, we have the privilege of being part of God’s sovereign work in the world. God’s redemptive plan has always involved having a people for himself. Our cities desperately need theologically sound, missionally effective, multiplying churches planted. For this to happen, we must develop faithful and effective church planters. The better equipped planters we send out, the more missionally effective churches we’ll plant.
Dr. Tony Merida explores nine essentials for church planters to be faithful and effective in engaging their cities with the gospel, making disciples of Jesus Christ, and planting gospel-centered churches. Whether you’re an aspiring planter, a sending church, a seasoned pastor, a member of a planting team, or someone leveraging your time, talents, and treasures for the kingdom of God, this book will inform and inspire as you grow in your affections for Christ and in your effectiveness in ministry.
Endorsements “As you and your church help equip church planters . . . this book will be an essential resource!”
Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board
“Tony Merida not only provides you with practical tools, he reminds you to pursue Christ.”
Courtney Doctor, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition, Bible teacher and author
“This book is an invaluable resource for equipping the next generation of church planters to be theologically sound, spiritually robust, and relationally healthy.”
Walter R. Strickland II, PhD. Teaching Pastor Imago Dei Church, Theology Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Every church planter and every partner for church planting will be served well by Tony’s work.”
Adam Bailie, Senior Lead Pastor, Christ Church
About the AuthorTony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, vice president of Planter Development for Send Network, and a Board member of The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of several books, including The Christ-Centered Expositor, Love Your Church, and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. He and his wife, Kimberly, have five children.
Dr. Tony Merida explores nine essentials for church planters to be faithful and effective in engaging their cities with the gospel, making disciples of Jesus Christ, and planting gospel-centered churches. Whether you’re an aspiring planter, a sending church, a seasoned pastor, a member of a planting team, or someone leveraging your time, talents, and treasures for the kingdom of God, this book will inform and inspire as you grow in your affections for Christ and in your effectiveness in ministry.
Endorsements “As you and your church help equip church planters . . . this book will be an essential resource!”
Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board
“Tony Merida not only provides you with practical tools, he reminds you to pursue Christ.”
Courtney Doctor, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition, Bible teacher and author
“This book is an invaluable resource for equipping the next generation of church planters to be theologically sound, spiritually robust, and relationally healthy.”
Walter R. Strickland II, PhD. Teaching Pastor Imago Dei Church, Theology Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Every church planter and every partner for church planting will be served well by Tony’s work.”
Adam Bailie, Senior Lead Pastor, Christ Church
About the AuthorTony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, vice president of Planter Development for Send Network, and a Board member of The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of several books, including The Christ-Centered Expositor, Love Your Church, and multiple volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. He and his wife, Kimberly, have five children.
194 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2024
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Tony Merida
57 books34 followersTony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC. Tony is the author of Faithful Preaching, co-author of Orphanology, and serves as a general editor and as contributor to the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series (B&H Publishing Group) along with David Platt and Danny Akin. He is married to Kimberly, with whom he has five adopted children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 15, 2025
What does it take to plant a church? In Church Planter, Tony Merida outlines nine essential traits for being both faithful and effective in church planting. It’s important to note that Merida’s focus is not so much on the how of church planting, but rather on the who—the character and qualities of the church planter themselves.
Heart, Relationships, and Calling
The first set of traits Merida discusses are the heart, relationships, and calling. He emphasizes that qualities like gifting, charisma, and leadership ability must never supersede spiritual maturity when it comes to leading a church. Character is of utmost importance. Merida is clear: church planting is not something one should do to appear cool, prove something to others, or boost their own ego. These chapters are the foundations of a faithful church planter.
Theology, Mission, and Teaching
The next focus is on theology, mission, and teaching. I was particularly struck by Merida’s exploration of teaching outside the context of preaching. He argues that teaching isn’t confined to the pulpit but is exemplified in the daily life of the church planter. The life of the teacher and the content of their teaching must be integrated and whole. In other words, we are called to exercise our gifts while also regularly examining ourselves to ensure we are living out the truths we proclaim.
The Church, the Nations, and Practical Leadership
The book concludes with a discussion on the church, the nations, and practical leadership. I was especially drawn to the final chapter, which emphasizes the importance of diligence and personal development. The church planter is described as a faithful, creative, and innovative steward of God’s mission. Merida challenges church planters to think strategically, work diligently, and trust God for the growth and fruit of their labor.
Faithful and Fruitful
Reading this book has rekindled my love for Christ and for His church. It has reminded me of the beauty and significance of our mission, and it has deepened my desire to pray for those who are planting churches—that they would remain faithful and fruitful in their work.
I received a media copy of Church Planter and this is my honest review.
Heart, Relationships, and Calling
The first set of traits Merida discusses are the heart, relationships, and calling. He emphasizes that qualities like gifting, charisma, and leadership ability must never supersede spiritual maturity when it comes to leading a church. Character is of utmost importance. Merida is clear: church planting is not something one should do to appear cool, prove something to others, or boost their own ego. These chapters are the foundations of a faithful church planter.
Theology, Mission, and Teaching
The next focus is on theology, mission, and teaching. I was particularly struck by Merida’s exploration of teaching outside the context of preaching. He argues that teaching isn’t confined to the pulpit but is exemplified in the daily life of the church planter. The life of the teacher and the content of their teaching must be integrated and whole. In other words, we are called to exercise our gifts while also regularly examining ourselves to ensure we are living out the truths we proclaim.
The Church, the Nations, and Practical Leadership
The book concludes with a discussion on the church, the nations, and practical leadership. I was especially drawn to the final chapter, which emphasizes the importance of diligence and personal development. The church planter is described as a faithful, creative, and innovative steward of God’s mission. Merida challenges church planters to think strategically, work diligently, and trust God for the growth and fruit of their labor.
Faithful and Fruitful
Reading this book has rekindled my love for Christ and for His church. It has reminded me of the beauty and significance of our mission, and it has deepened my desire to pray for those who are planting churches—that they would remain faithful and fruitful in their work.
I received a media copy of Church Planter and this is my honest review.
December 11, 2024
This book provides a very purposeful and practical guide for church planters (and their teams) to train through, in preparation and be reminded of, even as they get into the heart of planting churches. These nine essentials provide a great foundation and framework for church planting. Within each chapter there are very practical examples and Scriptural support for why these essentials will help bolster not only the planter, but his church, and the work of reaching his city for Christ. For those developing and sending out planters or for those who are preparing to plant or are planting and pastoring new churches, this book is for you!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews